Elastic material



Feb. 5, 1935-. J, 0I VAN G|| DER 1,989,895

ELAsTIc MATERIAL Filed OCT.. 6, 1931 iLiiLlEil gwdg-Luton JQ Van 'z Z der Patented Feb. 5, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELASTIC MATERIAL Jennie 0. Van Gilder, Columbus, Ohio Application October 6, 1931, Serial No. 567,318

12 Claims. (Cl. 132-93) This invention relates to an improved elastic tooth cleaning applicance made in the form of a strip composed of rubber or gum in which is embedded strands of thread, the thickness of the strip and the threads incorporated therein being such that the sides of the strip present roughened or corrugated surfaces which, when the strip is passed between crevices or interstces of adjoining teeth of the human mouth, provide for the complete and effective removal of foreignY matter lodged between the teeth, the device providing for improved conditions of oral hygiene and specifically avoids injury to the gums when the appliance is vigorously used.

It has been proposed heretofore to provide a tooth cleaning strip or band of rubber adapted for insertion between adjacent teeth for removing food or collected foreign matter therefrom and preventing the decay and injury to the teeth rei sulting from the presence of such foreign matter. Also, it has been proposed to employ fabric threads known by the expression dental floss -which have `been used for the same purpose but in the main these devices have proved unsatisfactory for the reason that they do not provide for the effective and complete removal of the,

` injure the gums andproduce soreness.

It is therefore a primary object of the invention to provide an elastic appliance of the character indicated wherein by the provision of the incorporated threads, the sides and longitudinal edges of the elastic strip are corrugated or roughened to'such an extent as to provide for a thorough removal of lodged food particles or the like from between the teeth and yet so formed as to accomplish this object without-gum injury. l

-In accordance with the invention, my improved tooth cleaning strip is formed from a pure grade of gum or rubber in the form of an elongated narrow band or strip having a thickness permitting of its application in the relatively ne crevices or interstces formed between adjacent teeth, and wherein the strip has incorporated therein in the body therof, and between its side surfaces,

' parallel strands of spaced threads extending in ,a Adirection substantially perpendicular to the length of the strip, whereby the latter isfreely stretchable or elastic in the direction of its length but, by the inclusion of the threads, is substantially inelastic in a transverse direction, the arrangeforcement so that it may be used in a vigorous manner without parting or breaking or gum injury.

For a further understanding of the invention, reference is to be had to the following descrip- 5 tion and the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 isa view in side elevation of the strip on a somewhat enlarged scale and showing the strip when in its normal condition;

Fig. 2 is a similar view disclosing the appearl0 ance of the strip when under tension with the elastic material of which it iscomposed'in a stretched condition;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional View taken through the strip on an enlarged scale and dis- 15 closing the threads embodied therein and their roughening effect on the side surfaces of the strip; and

Fig. 4 is a side elevation on an enlarged scale showing the strip in a stretched condition and disclosing more particularly the regularity'of its longitudinal edges when in a stretched condition.

Referringmore particularly to the drawing, the numeral 1 designates my improved dental appliance in its entirety, the appliance, in practice, takes the form of an elongated, relatively narrow band or strip formed from a pure grade of Para rubber which vhas the'known property of retaining its elasticity forprolonged periods ,of time.' Incorporated in the strip at the time of manufacture thereof are 'spaced parallel strands 2 of a thread or fabric, which strands are vdisposed to extend substantially perpendicularly to the length of the strip so that while the threads do not interfere with the elasticity of the strip and permit of its free stretching upon the application of normal forces, yet transversely of its length the material is substantially inelastic, this` quality or property being due primarily to the presence 40 of the threads which do not yield readily upon the application of tension.

'I'he employment of the strands or threads 2 in the strip results, as shown in Fig. 3 particularly, in roughening or corrugating the side sur- `some degree the longitudinal edges 4 of said strip V50 andi this property also results in enhancing the value and effectiveness of the strip in its cleaning action.

The strip is preferably produced at the time of its manufacture in sheets. In manufacture,

the strands or threads are placed in spaced order on a frame and the entire frame is immersed in a gum or rubber bath for a desired period of time to secure adherence of the rubber solution on the threads. The frame is then removed and the rubber subjected to the usual curing operation. The sheets of material thus formed are v then cut up into strips of the desired shape and form.

The'appliance thus formed is especially adaptedfor use in dental hygiene to clean between the teeth, polish teeth, massage the gums, clean between dental bridge work and adjacent gingival regions and to provide generally for improvements in the care of the teeth.

The strip is thus, made primarily of rubber and may, if desired, be impregnated with a mild abrasive and may be coated with an antiseptic to keep it sterile. A flavoring substance maybe added to give the device a pleasant or unobjectionable taste when it is used. The broken linen or other fiber thread 2 is placed in the rubber body of the strip to strengthen the latter without destroying its elasticity in a longitudinal direction and also to toughen the strip, to prevent gum cutting, and to give the band or strip what may be termed brush action surfaces.

While my improved material may be used primarily in the forming of a dental appliance of the character set forth, yet the material may nd wide uses in other fields, such for example as the mechanical cleaning of jewelry and other fine machinery and I therefore do not limit the use of the strip, or the material from which it is made, solely to dental purposes, but reserve the right to employthe same in any capacity for which it may nd a useful purpose.

What is claimed is:

1. A material of the character specified, comprising a thin rubber body, elastic in a longitudinal direction, .and a plurality of transversely extending spaced threads incorporated in said body and renderingy the latter substantially inelastic in a transverse direction but freely elastic in a longitudinal direction.

2. A material of the character specified, comprising a thin rubber body, elastic in a longitudinal direction, and a plurality of transversely extending spaced threads incorporated in said body and rendering the latter substantially inelastic in a transverse direction but freely elastic in a longitudinal direction, said body and threads being of such thickness as to slightly corrugate the side surfaces of said body.

3. Reenforced elastic material comprising'a thin velastic sheet or strip of rubber, parallel strands of a fabric thread permanently incorporated in spaced relation in said sheet, said strands serving to admit of the ready stretching of the material in a direction opposed to that of the length of the threads.

4. Reenforced elastic material comprising a thin elastic sheet or strip of rubber, parallel strands of a fabric thread permanently incorporated in spaced relation in said sheet, said strands serving to admit of the ready stretching of the material in `a direction opposed to that of the length of the threads, the thickness of the sheet and the threads being such as to provide the side surfaces of the sheet with corrugations extending lengthwise of the threads.

5. A tooth cleaning strip of narrow elongated -form comprising a rubber body and a plurality of spaced fabric threads incorporated in said strip and disposed between the sides thereof, said threads serving to produce. substantially vertical corrugations in the side surfaces of said strip.

6. A tooth cleaning strip of narrow elongated form comprising a rubber body and a plurality of spaced fabric threads incorporated in said .strip and disposed between the sides thereof, said threads serving to produce substantially vertical corrugations in the side surfaces of saidstrip, and an antiseptic compound applied to the exterior surfaces of said strip.

7. A tooth cleaning strip or band formed from rubber, andstrands of a fibrous material embodied in Asaid strip admitting of the stretching thereof longitudinally but inhibiting transverse stretching of the material forming the strip.

8. A dental cleaner comprising a strip composed of a freely elastic material, and a plurality of spaced substantially unelastic fibrous members incorporated in said strip and extendof said members being extended beyond the longitudinal edges of said strip to provide brushlike extensions.

9. A dental cleaner comprising a strip composed of a freely elastic material adapted to be drawn into the interproximal spaces between the teeth and brush-like members of a fibrous material incorporated in said strip and projecting beyond the longitudinal edge portions thereof.

10. A tooth cleaning strip formed substantially from rubber and ,of such size as to be drawn through the inter-proximal spaces between the teeth, the side surfaces of said strip being provided With uniformly disposed transversely extending corrugations.

11. A dental floss comprising, a tape and a material permanently embedded in said tape for flexing outwardly the sides of said tape.

12. A dental 4floss comprising, an elastic tape and a series of threads embedded in said tape and positioned transversely thereof.

JENNIE O. VAN GILDER.

. ing transversely of the length thereof, the ends 

